The Soft Underground - Anemoia
THE SOFT UNDERGROUND TO RELEASE ‘ANEMOIA’
New York art rock outfit The Soft Underground will release their third album, entitled Anemoia, on November 1. Anemoia foregoes the usual guitar-flavored sounds considered the foundation of modern music, instead substituting flutes, violins, synthesizers, as well as pots and pans.
The Soft Underground
Anemoia refers to nostalgia for a time or place one has never known.
Made up of Andrew McCarthy and Charlie Hickey, the duo recorded the album at McCarthy’s home, located in Memphis, working with guest vocalists Lisa Mac and Sam Reed.
Describing Anemoia, McCarthy says, “Thematically, it’s a happy album. We tried to capture that state of euphoria where you can appreciate all facets of life, including the lows.”
Formed in 2010, The Soft Underground’s genesis occurred when McCarthy and Hickey met and discovered their mutual love for ‘70s psych rock, The Smashing Pumpkins, and ‘90s alt-rock.
“Petals” rides a gentle alt-rock melody with suggestions of jazz flavors, cool and oozing, as Mac’s creamy dreamy vocals imbue the tune with smooth lingering textures.
Encompassing nine-tracks, Anemoia starts off with “New York City Venue,” opening on a crunching vibe pervaded by streaming synth accents and a pulsating rhythm exuding a grungy foundation, even as flowing colors suffuse the backdrop.
Highlights on the album, from a subjective viewpoint, include “Victorian Age,” a measured gleaming tune featuring the deliciously soft crystalline voice of Lisa Mac. The melody shimmers and sparkles with luminous hues. The title track travels on jangly guitars rife with grunge-flavored tones and lo-fi visceral resonance, as remote vocals emerge as if from a distance.
“Petals” rides a gentle alt-rock melody with suggestions of jazz flavors, cool and oozing, as Mac’s creamy dreamy vocals imbue the tune with smooth lingering textures. “Charlie and the Congo” blends a funk-lite rhythm with soulful jazz flavors. A swirling twirling flute injects the tune with dark tropical jazz pigmentation, followed by a funk-laced breakdown leading to braying horns.
“Thank You” flows on a sensuous sophisti-pop rhythm full of Latin-flavored filaments, dripping with smoldering seductive surface colors.
Anemoia is marvelously put together, chock-full of sumptuous tides of sonic textures, glistening accents, and affluent vocals. What sets the album apart is its sheer originality and swaying drifting movement.
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